Marketing student Tahir Murray followed in his family’s footsteps and created a clothing line focused on HBCUs. The Howard University senior designed HBCU apparel that caught the attention of Black NBA All-Stars like Chris Paul.
Last year Murray participated in the Nike Air Max campaign. The company honored and celebrated individuals who participated in HBCUs.
“Before we started in Fall 2019, I knew I wanted to focus primarily on HBCUs to share our stories,” Murray told the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Murray hopes his apparel brand will continue to give HBCUs more visibility.
Keeping the power of the HBCU legacy alive
The first historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were founded in the 19th century and offer higher education opportunities to black people. Admissions officers generally denied access to blacks who wanted to attend traditional institutions because of segregation and discriminatory practices.
According to NBC, HBCUs are seeing an alarming drop in enrollments that could threaten their future. “There is a clear possibility that a number of HBCUs will be gone in about 20 years,” Ronnie Bagley, a 1983 graduate of Norfolk State University, told NBC. “In that case, many low-income first generation students will miss out on college education.
Enter HBCU market with unique apparel designs
Murray is on a mission to revive the passion for HBCUs. With his HBCU luxury brand LegacyHistoryPride ™, the college senior combines his passion for fashion with the needs of the market to draw more attention to HBCUs.
“Before I started LHP, there wasn’t anyone in the market who brought that kind of light to HBCU culture through something I grew up with, which was fashion,” said Murray.
LegacyHistoryPride ™ has several partnerships with HBCUs. The lifestyle brand has over 50,000 followers on social media and connects with thousands of students across the country. According to the website, the company gives scholarships to current HBCU students.
HBCU student continues a legacy of apparel companies
Murray is well on his way to getting his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Howard University this year. He’s been in the fashion industry since the day he could walk, according to his LinkedIn profile. Murray grew up in a family of clothing entrepreneurs and always had an eye on continuing his grandfather’s legacy.
Ortner Murray, Murray’s grandfather, came to the United States from Trinidad & Tobago in 1966 to make the American dream come true. Living his dreams through entrepreneurship, he founded the legendary Von’s sneaker store in Queens. Murray’s father created the School of Hard Knocks and the Queen’s 7 t-shirt.
Now Murray is taking this opportunity to show what is possible for the next generation.
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